Lagos Assembly
As part of measures to curb building collapse, the Lagos State House of Assembly has cautioned property developers to desist from erecting structures without necessary approvals.
The Chairman of the Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Setonji David gave the warning during an on-the-spot assessment of the complaints of the residents of the over 400 units of duplexes in Lekki Gardens Phase III. The resident association had petitioned the Assembly, co-signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ibe Ene and Secretary, Mr. Lanre Kuforiji on the inability of the developer to provide necessary infrastructure.
The lawmaker, who disclosed that some developers have failed to obtained necessary approvals from the government, decried the speed at which people build houses without approvals.
He said: “I will advise them to go back to the ministry to regularize their approval. I will also advise them not to involve in any project without government approvals. These are situations where building collapse and the blame come back to the government. Our people should get necessary approvals before embarking on projects for their safety.”
On visit to the estate, the David clarified that developer had built structures and handed it over to residents without government approvals.
He therefore ordered that further construction should stop on the estate, saying that the committees will ensure that the process of getting approvals for building projects are made easy.
Reacting to the allegations, the Chief Estate Relations Officer of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Rotimi Ajiloye said that the company would look into all the issues critically and make necessary adjustments.
Ajiloye said that the company would work with the government in ensuring that all requirements of the law were fulfilled. He pleaded with the residents to give the company time to address all the issues raised.
Meanwhile, built environment professional bodies in Lagos under the aegis of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) visited to the Chairman of the Committee at the Assembly, Alausa, on how to make the city better and curtail building collapse.
The Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr. Adekunle Salami said that the support from BCPG would add to the government capacity at improving on safety in the Lagos built environment.
The Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Mr. Dele Mafimidiwo hammered on the importance of cost evaluation of a building project before embarking on it so as to enable the building owner cut his coat to his size and prevent a situation where he would be tempted to compromise quality.
Former Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ikeja Branch, Dr. Tunde Olatunji drew the attention of the house to some result oriented proposals that have been submitted to the government in the past at overcoming building collapse challenges.
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Guardian
